LAURENT Blanc has sent Manchester United a farewell message: You can win the Champions League again.

Reds' boss Sir Alex Ferguson now wants his English champions to conquer Europe on a regular basis. And the French defender, who retired after the title- winning celebrations at Goodison on Sunday, believes United have the capacity to add to their 1968 and 1999 European Cup triumphs.

Despite an illustrious 20-year career playing for the likes of Marseille, Inter Milan and Barcelona, Blanc didn't play his first Champions League match until he joined United in August 2001.

In his period at Old Trafford, United fell at the semi-final stage against Bayer Leverkusen and in the quarter-finals against Real Madrid this season.

"But one of the main difficulties for United is that the calendar in England is very hard. The long fixture programme over here does not help at all.

"To win the Champions League you must have the best level in April and May. That's when you need to be at your peak.

"However, it is hard to be at that point when it matters having so many games. The English teams are a little tired at this stage I am afraid.

"But with the size of their squad, United can overcome that. And they certainly have the talent to win it and be challenging again and again.

"They also have the hunger. There is a good spirit in the club and that's very good for the future. It is important for the young players that they have won the league championship. It is also vital that they have the mentality to keep winning it. I have no doubts that there is a winning attitude in the dressing-room."

Blanc won a French title and the European Cup Winners' Cup along with 97 international caps in a marvellous career that began in 1983.

He had planned to quit last summer but was persuaded to stay on.

Leaving present

With United finishing empty-handed it would have been a flat end to his career 12 months ago. But he bowed out last Sunday after 45 minutes against Everton with a Premiership medal to take back to France.

"I have had a long career and I am very happy to finish it with Manchester United, because I think it is one of the best clubs in the world," Laurent added.

"Winning a title in England, it is impossible for it to have been a better end to my career. I am not sad it is all over. I'm happy I have ended my career on a winning note and happy for United because the title has been a collective thing.

"I have done what I can do now and my overall sentiment now it is all over is satisfaction."

Blanc is returning home to France to "recharge my batteries" and a coaching role in his home country is expected to be his next assignment.

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